Keeping an eye on your baby’s health is of exceptional importance, especially if he is only several months old. Spotting fever in time can be crucial as every lost minute on the trip to the doctor might play a significant role.
One of the ways to keep track of your baby’s health is using baby thermometers.
If that’s what you have been looking for, we have got you covered as we are going to now review 10 best baby thermometer units! Apart from the reviews, we prepared a buying guide to not allow you to get confused in the variety of features.
Let’s get started with our reviews! In case if you don’t have time, these are the products we will review today.
Best Baby Thermometer Reviews
Exergen Temporal Scan Forehead Artery Baby Thermometer
The first model in our reviews of the top baby thermometer is Exergen Tat-2000c baby temperature scanner. This model is very affordable yet quite convenient.
Forehead thermometers are obviously much easier to use than rectal thermometers: if necessary, you could easily do multiple readings if you don’t get the results you expect.
With Tat-2000c, you only need to swipe the device on the forehead of your baby, and the reading will be there instantly!
A nice feature of this baby thermometer of Exergen is that it comes with red LED lights to inform you whether or not the scan is correct. In combination with a sound alert, Tat-2000c will allow you to instantly know if there is something wrong.
Another advantage of this baby thermometer is that it is rather precise. It takes 1,000 readings per second and selects the most accurate result to show. The reverse side of such an approach is the pickiness and little inconsistency of the readings.
If you want to get precise readings, you should keep the thermometer in the baby room because Tat-2000c is very picky in that regard. Apart from that, you might discover slight discrepancies between consecutive readings, but the dispersion is usually between some minor 0.5 degrees.
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Summer Infant Pacifier Thermometer
Up next on our reviews of the best baby thermometer is a pacifier thermometer by Summer Infant. The most remarkable thing about this model is its design, and let’s see how it can help you with taking temperature readings.
If you have used other types of baby thermometers in the past and learned that your baby doesn’t like them, the Pacifier Thermometer might be the best device to buy. The orthodontic nipple design will allow for a soothing effect for your baby: with this baby thermometer, your baby should have no negative associations with temperature readings.
A nice feature of the Pacifier Thermometer is that it alerts you of fever if the baby’s temperature is too high. The Pacifier Thermometer also beeps once the scan is complete. Speaking of the scan, it takes several minutes to take the readings, so the Pacifier might be not the best choice for quick temperature scans.
The memory track feature of the Pacifier Thermometer can allow you to keep an eye on the health history of your baby and spot abnormal temperature in no time.
Overall, the Pacifier Thermometer would be a great choice if your baby just hates temperature scanning sessions!
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ANKOVO Digital Medical Infrared Forehead and Ear Thermometer
ANKOVO baby thermometer is a two-in-one model: it can be used as either a forehead or ear thermometer. This means that for a great price, you actually get two devices instead of just one!
On one hand, the two-in-one design means greater convenience, and on the other, you will get some deviations between ear and forehead readings. The about 1-degree deviation of this baby thermometer is normal, but if you want more precision, then this model isn’t for you.
A huge advantage of ANKOVO baby thermometer is that it only takes about a second or so to deliver you readings. This can somewhat negate the deviation of the thermometer because you will be able to quickly take multiple readings should the need arise.
ANKOVO baby thermometer also comes with a memory feature, which saves up to 20 previous temperature readings. This will allow you to track the health history of your baby and immediately spot issues.
The fever warning of this baby thermometer is remarkable as well. Upon spotting fever, the thermometer makes 7 short and quick rings and flickers its display. As for normal scanning, you will get one long beep after the thermometer is done.
If the slight deviation of temperature readings doesn’t worry you, ANKOVO baby thermometer would a good choice for you, especially if you have been wanting to get both a forehead and an ear baby thermometer.
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Zerhunt Baby Digital Forehead Ear Thermometer
Zerhunt baby forehead & ear thermometer is almost identical to ANKOVO baby thermometer, but this one is a little bit cheaper.
Apart from that, Zerhunt claims that the deviation of this forehead and ear thermometer is only 0.4F! So if you have been looking for an accurate baby thermometer, this model might be the best bet.
Apart from being accurate, Zerhunt baby thermometer is also quick: it only takes about a second for it to deliver temperature readings. In case your baby has fever, the thermometer will softly beep with red backlight to alert you of high temperature.
Zerhunt baby thermometer also can be used as either a forehead or ear thermometer. This allows for dual temperature scanning to get even more accurate readings.
This forehead and ear baby thermometer also have internal memory to store up to 20 of previous readings.
Overall, Zerhunt baby thermometer is identical to ANKOVO thermometer, if you don’t take the price and reading accuracy into account. And in terms of those, this thermometer is actually better than ANKOVO’s model, so you might want to just stick to this one.
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Metene Digital Infrared Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer
Up next on our reviews of best thermometer for baby is Metene’s digital non-contact forehead thermometer. What’s most remarkable in this model is that you can turn off the beeping sound that could disturb the sleep of your baby. So if you like to take temperature readings when your little one is resting, this baby thermometer would a pretty nice choice.
While all no-contact thermometers should be able to do it, Metene emphasizes that this forehead thermometer can be used for measuring the temperatures of objects as well. This means that you will be able to quite accurately measure the temperature of the baby’s bottle, as an example.
Speaking of accuracy, Metene baby thermometer scans temperature rather well, though it has 0.6F of deviation. You would also need to think about acclimating the thermometer to the room you will be measuring your baby’s temperature in as this device is quite sensitive to temperature changes.
Apart from good precision, Metene baby thermometer offers quick scanning time of just mere seconds.
Unlike the other models we reviewed previously, Metene forehead baby thermometer allows you to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius with just a push of a button. With other models, you would need to hold the power button for the thermometer to restart, which obviously takes time.
Metene baby thermometer doesn’t have any kind of internal memory, so you won’t be able to keep track of your baby’s temperature.
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Kinsa Digital Smart Ear Thermometer
Now comes the first digital thermometer on our list of baby thermometer! This ear baby thermometer is accompanied with Kinsa’s smartphone app that delivers a whole lot of advantages!
Firstly, while Kinsa Digital Smart Ear Thermometer doesn’t have its own inbuilt memory, you can still track temperature readings over time through your smartphone. Moreover, you can do so for each of your family members separately!
Secondly, the app can provide you with handy tips from trusted sources: you will be able to know how to soothe symptoms, give meds, or when you should visit a doctor. Be mindful though that you shouldn’t rely on the advice of the mobile app only: you might want to consult a doctor just in case.
Kinsa Ear Thermometer’s tip needs to be put in the ear of the baby, so the need of its cleaning arises. Fortunately, this thermometer has an easy to clean probing tip: you only need to use a soft cloth or cotton swab soaked in 75% alcohol to reliably clean the tip.
Kinsa ear baby thermometer is quick and accurate, though it sometimes may show about 1-degree deviations. Apart from it, generally, an ear thermometer isn’t as convenient as a forehead thermometer.
The list of devices supported by the Kinsa app isn’t very large as well: the app supports flagship models of Apple, Samsung, HTC, and others. You could check the full list on the product page of the thermometer. However, you can use the thermometer without the app, you just won’t be able to use all those handy digital features.
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Benewell Baby Digital Thermometer
If you are all about the accuracy of temperature readings, Benewell digital thermometer is a great choice. This baby thermometer is designed for oral, armpit, and rectal use, so this model should be good if you are used to this kind of thermometers and don’t need anything new.
This baby thermometer is completely digital, meaning that it has no mercury in it. But it still has all the benefits of rectal and oral thermometers!
The greatest advantage of Benewell digital thermometer is its accuracy. Rectal/oral thermometers are much more precise than their ear and forehead counterparts. On the other hand, measuring temperature isn’t as convenient with this thermometer: you need approximately 10 seconds to get the right measurements. This means that if your baby hates being measured, Benewell thermometer won’t be the best choice.
Benewell digital thermometer has a fever alert function that makes rapid beeps should the baby’s temperature be above normal. Otherwise, the device just beeps once when the scan is complete.
Lastly, Benewell baby thermometer can take measurements in either Fahrenheit or Celsius, but the thermometer doesn’t have a separate button for quick mode switching: you need to hold the power button for 4 seconds to convert to one or the other unit.
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Primo Passi 6-in1 Quick 1 second No-Touch Baby Thermometer
Yet another forehead baby thermometer on our reviews of the most accurate baby thermometer!
This forehead thermometer comes with a separate person and objects measurement modes. This is what the 6-in-1 thing is all about: you can use this thermometer to scan children, formulas, adults, food, nursery, and spot fever. However, keep in mind that “6-in-1” is more like a marketing trick: Primo Passi baby thermometer has only 2 distinct operation modes.
As you would expect from a forehead thermometer, this device takes measurements in just about 1 second. So if you want to bother your baby as little as possible, this thermometer is a nice pick.
Primo Passi also has a memory function that allows you to have the results of the last 10 scans. This will be enough for short-term tracking, but if you want more, you might need to get one of the other models that have memory for 20 scans.
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iProvèn Clinical Ear Thermometer
If you didn’t like the previous two-in-one ear and forehead thermometer we reviewed, take a look at this one! iProvèn baby thermometer is pretty similar to ANKOVO two-in-one thermometer. The only major difference is that iProvèn thermometer is slightly cheaper.
iProvèn scans temperature extremely quickly: in forehead scan mode, it is done in 3 seconds while in-ear more, it needs only 1 second to deliver scanning results. However, keep in mind that there are some discrepancies between the two modes.
iProvèn thermometer scans in forehead mode without any contact with the baby’s skin, allowing you to confidently take measurements while the little one sleeps.
To use this device as an ear thermometer, you need to remove the cap to expose the probing tip, and then put the tip in the baby’s ear. After you are done, you only need to wipe the tip with a piece of cloth moistened with alcohol.
The memory function of this baby thermometer can be of greatest use for you: it can store up to 20 readings for future health tracking.
The last feature we will be examining is the familiar fever alert system that combines loud beeping with light indicators. Normal temperature is indicated by green light, while higher temperatures are denoted with orange and red lights and beeping.
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Captain Eco Smart Digital Ear & Forehead Thermometer
And the last model in our reviews of the best baby thermometer is Captain Eco’s Smart Digital Ear & Forehead Thermometer. This model has all the best features of the examined models!
Firstly, Captain Eco baby thermometer can read the temperature in both forehead and ear mode. As it typically is with dual thermometers, there are some discrepancies between the ear and forehead measurement modes.
The next great thing about this thermometer is that you can mute the beeping sounds. This will be especially great if you will be taking measurements while the baby sleeps.
The convenient fever alert feature is also here: it has the regular color scheme (green for healthy, orange for elevated temperature, and red for fever).
By itself, Captain Eco baby thermometer has memory for up to 20 previous temperature readings. However, you can enhance this thermometer by installing Captain Eco’s mobile app to your device, which will allow you to get much more tracking possibilities.
Unlike the Kinsa smart thermometer we examined a little bit earlier, the app of this thermometer works with a wide range of IOS and Android mobile devices. So in case you don’t have one of the devices supported by Kinsa, Captain Eco will be a much better choice.
However, keep in mind that this baby thermometer is quite a bit more expensive than the other thermometers we examined. But it might turn out that for you, the price is just right for the number of features this thermometer offers.
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Best Baby Thermometer Buying Guide
Now, let’s see what features of baby thermometers you should be looking for. Because baby thermometers are quite versatile in terms of both their functions and type, it might take some time for you to understand which is which.
Let’s begin with baby thermometer types and then take a look at the important features of baby thermometers.
Mercury vs digital thermometer
Most broadly, thermometers are categorized into mercury and digital thermometers. The digital thermometer is a new feat, and it has virtually completely replaced mercury thermometers. Mercury thermometer is an older type of thermometer that employs mercury, as the name implies, to display temperature.
You probably won’t meet mercury thermometers these days. Moreover, you should be avoiding them altogether. The thing is that mercury is an extremely dangerous substance, and in case the thermometer breaks, you will be at risk of facing serious medical conditions and even death.
Back in the days when there was no alternative, you just had to be extremely careful with mercury thermometers. Fortunately, today, you can find a variety of digital thermometers that do not employ any kind of dangerous substances. Moreover, digital thermometers are much more convenient and versatile than mercury thermometers. While mercury thermometers were only able to measure body temperature, digital thermometers can do much more: save scanning results, alert you of fever, and much more.
Overall, you should avoid mercury thermometers and instead go for a digital thermometer.
Types of digital baby thermometers
In its turn, the digital thermometer has its own subtypes. In this sense, digital thermometers share some common types with mercury thermometers, but you won’t meet, for example, temporal artery mercury thermometers.
There are 6 main types of digital thermometer:
- Rectal.
- Temporal artery or forehead.
- Ear canal.
- Oral.
- Axillary or armpit.
Each of the types differs significantly in terms of convenience and precision. This means that most of the time, you should have multiple types of baby thermometers in order to double check the readings if necessary.
Rectal thermometers
Rectal thermometers are the most inconvenient yet most accurate type of baby thermometer. They measure temperature, as the name implies, after being entered into the rectum. The process might be rather uncomfortable for you, but if your baby is an infant, there simply is no other alternative to rectal thermometers. That’s because they are, as we already mentioned, extremely accurate, and spotting health issues as soon as possible is of great importance with infants.
Temporal artery (forehead) thermometers
Temporal artery or forehead thermometers are the most modern type of baby thermometer. Forehead thermometers use infrared technology to scan the temporal artery on the forehead for highly accurate measurements.
With a forehead thermometer, there is no need for direct contact between the baby and the thermometer, so these thermometers are the most convenient models you can find out there. The absence of contact will allow you to not bother your baby while measuring temperature, which is especially important when the baby is sleeping.
Forehead thermometers can be used with not only babies but individuals of any age. However, if your baby is under 13 months, you should double check the temperature with a rectal thermometer.
Ear thermometers
Ear canal thermometers are rather accurate but not as accurate as forehead and rectal thermometers. They are quite easy to use and are non-invasive, though ear thermometers aren’t as convenient as forehead thermometers.
Positioning the thermometer in the ear canal of the baby the right way isn’t the simplest thing in the world, which may cause some inconsistency of results. You need some practice to get used to baby thermometers. Apart from that, ear wax can play a more or less significant role in the deviations.
Generally, ear canal thermometers aren’t advisable for use with babies under 12 months of age because their ear canals aren’t big enough yet to accommodate the probing tip of the thermometer. Ear thermometers are thus more suitable for older children.
Oral thermometers
The oral thermometer is another type of baby thermometer for older kids. Oral thermometers are generally good for kids who are 4 years old or up. These thermometers are quite accurate and are pretty easy to use: you only need to place the probing tip under the kid’s tongue for a few seconds.
Pacifier thermometers
The pacifier thermometer can be considered a subtype of the oral thermometer, but they aren’t quite the same. Pacifier thermometers are just put into the mouth of the baby: because these thermometers’ probe tips aren’t put under the tongue, they are not nearly as accurate.
Pacifier thermometers are a good choice for babies that do not like to be measured as these baby thermometers are able to deliver soothing effect thanks to their ergonomic nipple-design probing tips.
However, you shouldn’t rely on a pacifier thermometer alone. Because such a thermometer is used with younger babies and infants, it won’t be able to deliver desirable accuracy. Thereby, pacifier thermometers should be used for occasional measuring. As for primary means, you should stick to rectal thermometers.
Axillary (armpit) thermometers
Axillary thermometers, more commonly known as armpit thermometers, are the least invasive type of baby thermometer (if you don’t take forehead thermometers into account). However, armpit thermometers are the least accurate thermometers as well.
You should go for an armpit thermometer in case you want to get something cheap, but if you want to get more precision, you should go for an oral thermometer as oral thermometers are quite close to armpit ones in terms of price.
Picking Baby Thermometer By Age
Under 3 months of age
As we already said, you should absolutely go for a rectal thermometer if your baby is 3 months old or so. Remember, the accuracy of measurements can tell you if there is any need for going to the hospital. You could also combine a rectal thermometer with any other kind of baby thermometer, but remember that the rectal thermometer is your main temperature measurement tool.
Over 3 months of age
When it comes to older babies, you could go for any type of baby thermometer. However, the absolute best choice would be a good forehead thermometer. They are very accurate and extremely easy to use, so you surely won’t be disappointed in them.
| Child’s age | Rectal | Oral | Armpit | Ear | Forehead |
| Newborn to 3 months | yes | ||||
| 3 months to 3 years | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| 4 to 5 years | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| 5 years and older | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Now that we examined types of baby thermometers, let’s take a look at the features you should be looking for.
Features to Look for in Baby Thermometers
Remember we said that mercury thermometers could only measure body temperature? It’s completely different with digital thermometers. They come with a variety of features that help you with taking measurements and with understanding whether you should go to the hospital or not.
Fever alert
The fever alert is a rather convenient feature that can be found in most digital thermometers. Generally, the fever alert feature implies the combo of colored lights and beeping to alert the parent of fever.
In terms of color illumination, thermometers with fever alert glow with green/blue if the temperature is good, with orange if the temperature is elevated, and red if the baby has fever. This color show is also accompanied by a repeated and loud beeping.
If a baby thermometer doesn’t have a fever alert function, it won’t show you in any way that the temperature is abnormal. So you should definitely look for a baby thermometer with fever alert.
Age selection
A baby thermometer with age options isn’t the most frequent thing you will see. The importance of age modes lies in the fact that for different ages, the temperature ranges that are dangerous for the baby are varying. Simply put, what is good for a toddler might be bad for an infant.
Scan time
The scan time is a rather important thing to look for, though it might not necessarily be crucial for you. Generally, the faster a baby thermometer performs scans, the better. However, because different types of thermometers offer varying scan times, short measurement time might not be a priority. This would be true, as an example, for rectal thermometers: with them, what’s important is accuracy, while scan time plays a secondary role.
However, if you absolutely want a baby thermometer that scans temperature quickly, the best choice would be a forehead thermometer. Most of them take only about a second or so to measure temperature, so they are certainly the best in this regard.
Switchable beeping
Many digital thermometers beep upon completion of the measurement. That isn’t always the thing you want to have: you might be measuring your baby’s temperature while he sleeps, and the slightest sound can wake him up. Apart from that, beeping might frighten the baby even if he is awake.
Internal memory
Some digital thermometers come with internal memory, and most of them can accommodate up to 20 past readings. Internal memory is a good feature if you want to keep track of your baby’s temperature. If you know what’s normal for your baby, you will be able to spot abnormalities much quicker.
Mobile device compatibility
Smart digital thermometers are baby thermometers that are compatible with mobile devices via Bluetooth connection. In terms of accuracy and general easiness of use, smart thermometers hardly differ from regular digital thermometers. However, when it comes to keeping track of all your family members, a smart thermometer would be the best because their companion apps can store reading data for each of your babies and even adults.
Apart from that, some apps provide you with enhanced support for temperature measurement, as well as give you tips on when you should visit your pediatrician. However, be mindful that you should never trust an app more than your doctor: don’t just read a couple of symptoms and think that your baby is alright, always double check with your pediatrician.
Fahrenheit and Celsius measurement
Almost all digital thermometers allow you to measure temperature in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, but you should check just in case if a baby thermometer has the units of temperature you need.
Apart from that, pay attention to how the baby temperature changes units of measurement: some thermometers require you to hold their power button to switch the units while others have separate buttons for that. However, keep in mind that this is just a matter of convenience, and you shouldn’t think too much about the way a digital thermometer switches between Fahrenheit and Celsius.
Removable battery
Make sure that the digital thermometer comes with a removable battery. If that isn’t the case, you would need to dispose of the thermometer and get a new one. You could alternatively try to replace the battery yourself, but that isn’t the wisest thing to do.
Instead, look for a digital thermometer with a replaceable battery in the first place. Keep in mind that digital thermometers typically come with replaceable batteries: it’s pacifier thermometers you need to careful with in this regard.
Benefits of a Digital Baby Thermometers
Quick scanning
The quickest digital thermometers can take only mere seconds to deliver the scan results to you. If you are all after that quickness, a digital baby thermometer is the best choice!
Easy to use
Digital baby thermometers are exceptionally easy to use: you only need to position the thermometer on the right spot and wait for the device to be done! The convenience is especially great with forehead thermometers.
Alerts you of fever
Digital baby thermometers are able to alert you of dangerous temperatures. You aren’t a doctor, so a little hand would be great for you! In case your baby has a fever, the thermometer will rapidly beep with red colors.
No mercury
The main advantage of digital thermometers is that they have no mercury or any other kind of harmful material. There is thus no risk of the dangerous mercury getting out of the thermometer in case you accidentally break it.
— FAQ ( Frequently Asked Questions) —
Can a baby thermometer be used for the whole family?
Yes, definitely! However, because dangerous temperature ranges vary for different ages, you might want to get a thermometer that has age settings.
If I want to track the temperature of all my family members, should I go for a smart thermometer or a regular thermometer with inbuilt memory will be enough?
A standard digital thermometer with onboard memory will be alright in case you can memorize which reading is whose. Apart from that, the onboard memory of baby thermometers mostly allows for at most 20 readings. With a smart thermometer, all the data is stored on your mobile device in separate profiles for each family member, so if you want convenience, you should definitely go for a smart thermometer.
Can a forehead thermometer be used with an artery other than the temporal artery?
It should work, however, you will probably get good deviations. Apart from that, measuring the baby’s temperature by just swiping the thermometer over his forehead is the most convenient way to do things in most cases.
How can you fight against deviations?
There isn’t a uniform way to deal with this issue. Multiple factors could affect the deviations, and the most important ones are correct measuring, as well as lack of acclimatization of the thermometer to the room you are measuring your baby’s temperature in. To counter incorrect scans, you could just perform multiple scans and pick the mean number. However, this method won’t be appropriate if you need as much accuracy as possible. In this case, you should stick to rectal thermometers.
As for acclimatization, you might need to wait for a few minutes after bringing the thermometer to the room. Keep in mind that this problem will be much less relevant if you store the thermometer in the same room you perform measurements in.
Did you find the best baby thermometer for your needs? If yes, go get it! If no, do not be afraid to spend a little bit more time looking for the right baby thermometer. You don’t want to get a thermometer that doesn’t satisfy your requirements after all!